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'Modern Family' nabs another honor

July 14, 2010 | 5:42
pm

Fresh off the heels of scoring 14 Emmy nominations, the cast of “Modern Family” has another reason to celebrate: They will be honored by GLSEN - the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, during its sixth annual Respect Awards in Los Angeles.

The hit freshman comedy will be honored for its portrayals of positive images and story lines that reflect a diverse America, including the depiction of a family headed by a gay couple, the organization said.

Cameron (Eric Stonestreet) and Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) have won over audiences for their antics as first-time parents who often get themselves into clumsy situations, usually involving raising baby Lily.

Both Stonestreet and Furguson garnered nominations for their roles - read Stonestreet's reaction of his nomination here.

New shows like “Modern Family” and “Glee” have received applause for continuing to tackle storylines revolving their respective gay characters.

“One of the wonderful things is we can talk about multiple shows out there like ‘Glee’ and ‘Modern Family’ that are touching on a lot of topics,” said the groups spokesman, Daryl Presgraves. “With ‘Modern Family’ we thought it was a show that really touched on the subjects that dovetail with what we stand for. [For example] inclusion - especially one that shows a gay family. It brings in a bit of a sense of something you don’t normally see [on television]. It really represents the truth of what so many people experience in their daily life. On top of that, it’s pretty darn funny.”

Executive Director Eliza Byard said in a statement that GLSEN is honored to be the first national LGBT organization to recognize the show.

“As a lesbian mother of two, I am grateful to see a show like ‘Modern Family’ offer an honest and often hilarious look at family experiences frequently overlooked or ignored in prime time,” she said. “From its positive portrayal of gay parents to its handling of school bullying, [the show] provides an invaluable window into what family life is like for millions of American youth.”

The Respect Awards will be held Oct. 8 at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Past television honorees include Shonda Rhimes, Darren Star and Disney/ABC Television Group.

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